5 BOOKS HIGH PERFORMERS SHOULD READ THIS MONTH

Two pro athlete bylines, two self-betterment reads, and a vegetarian cookbook

Being up to date on all things health and wellness is social and cultural currencythese days. And while the internet is great, actual books are still a worthy pursuit. Manynon-fiction reads come out every month, though, and it can feel overwhelming to cut through the clutter. That’s why we started the Furthermore book club in March. In our seventh installment, we curated this list of five we think are worth reading this September.

THE FOUR TENDENCIES: THE INDISPENSABLE PERSONALITY PROFILES THAT REVEAL HOW TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER (AND OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER, TOO)BY: GRETCHEN RUBIN

The Gist: Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin, who’s behind the bestselling Happiness Project and Happier at Home, now applies her trademark wittiness and insight to exploring the subject of personality. Based on answers to an online questionnaire that’s now been taken by over 600,000 participants, Rubin posits that everyone fits into one of these four personality tendencies: upholder, questioner, obliger, or rebel. She provides practical guidance on everything from choosing a career to family dynamics specific to each.

WE NEED TO TALK: HOW TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTERBY: CELESTE HEADLEE

The Gist: Public radio journalist Celeste Headlee asserts that it’s more important than ever to know how to hold a meaningful conversation in this age of screen-based, emoji-filled communication. In her new book based on her viral TED talk in 2016, Headlee offers tips on how to strike the right balance between listening and talking, plus other actionable advice to help spark the kind of purposeful discourses that really matter.

THE MOOSEWOOD RESTAURANT TABLE: 250 BRAND-NEW RECIPES FROM THE NATURAL FOODS RESTAURANT THAT REVOLUTIONIZED EATING IN AMERICABY: THE MOOSEWOOD COLLECTIVE

The Gist: Named “one of the 13 most influential and revolutionary restaurants of the 20th century” by Bon Appétit, the Moosewood Restaurant, which first opened its doors in Ithaca, New York in 1973, symbolizes clean-eating and farm-to-table cooking. Its latest cookbook features healthy, delicious vegetarian recipes that have an eye towards today’s trends, resulting in creative ways to prepare heritage grains like freekeh, plus a number of gluten-free options.

UNSTOPPABLE: MY LIFE SO FARBY: MARIA SHARAPOVA

The Gist: Tennis phenom Maria Sharapova shares her incredible story starting on the public courts of a small Russian town at age five to winning Wimbledon at age 17 and beyond. She also opens up about her unexpected fall from grace when she was charged with taking a banned substance and suspended from playing the pro circuit for over a year. The result is a must-read for any dedicated sports fan.

THE TB12 METHOD: HOW TO ACHIEVE A LIFETIME OF SUSTAINED PEAK PERFORMANCEBY: TOM BRADY

At age 40, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is still playing at his peak, achieving his fifth Super Bowl win earlier this year. His first book details his comprehensive approach to long-term fitness, complete with instructions, drills, and his takes on everything from nutrition to hydration, making this “athlete’s bible” a must on every super-performers’ bookshelf.